On December 18, Bridgestone Arena in Nashville will host a marquee doubleheader of women's college basketball, bringing together four of the nation's most respected programs: Belmont, Baylor, Tennessee, and Vanderbilt. The event promises a showcase of elite talent, storied rivalries, and a celebration of the growing prominence of women's sports in the region.
Rekindling a Rivalry
The centerpiece of the night will be the 17th all‑time meeting between Belmont and Vanderbilt, a series that last intersected in 2017. That previous encounter saw the Bruins explode for 111 points, a tally that remains the highest ever recorded in Belmont's Division I history and set the tone for a competitive rematch.
Vanderbilt enters the matchup riding a wave of success that includes 74 victories over the past three seasons and three consecutive appearances in the NCAA Tournament. Rising junior guard Mikayla Blakes, last season's Southeastern Conference Player of the Year, anchors a Commodores squad that also boasts 2026 SEC Freshman of the Year Aubrey Galvan. Head coach Shea Ralph, who captured the 2025‑26 consensus national coach of the year award, continues to shape the team's national reputation.
Belmont, meanwhile, has cemented its status as the winningest program in Tennessee over the last decade, posting a .721 winning percentage across ten seasons. The Bruins' coaching staff includes assistant coaches Jessica (Mooney) Holman and Amy Malo, both former Commodores and Vanderbilt alumni. Holman, a 2008 SEC Co‑Sixth Woman of the Year, helped the Commodores secure two SEC Tournament championships and two Sweet 16 appearances, underscoring the deep ties between the programs.
Looking Forward
As the teams prepare to take the court, storylines abound: Will Belmont's high‑scoring offense repeat its historic performance? Can Vanderbilt's star guard Blakes lead the Commodores to another deep tournament run? How will the alumni‑turned‑coaches influence the game from the sidelines? The answers will unfold on a night that promises to add another memorable chapter to Nashville's basketball lore.